Newspaper Page Text
Off we go...
Sen. Gary Hart (D. — Colo.) sits in the cockpit of Israel’s next generation fighter jet, the Lavi, during a
recent tour of Israel Aircraft Industries plant near Tel Aviv.
Torah thoughts
The basis of all precepts
♦
u
Rabbi Schneerson
Adapted from the works of Rabbi Mcnachem M
Schneerson. the Lubavitcher Rebbe. by Rabbi
Vossi New, Chabad of Georgia
This week’s Sidra Chukat com
mences: “This is the statue of the
Torah.” The Torah contains var
ious types of laws of which the
“statutes” are those that have, ap
parently, no explanation.
Our sages have said that our
submission to the reign of Heaven
and our acceptance of the mitzvot
must be in a manner similar to a
“yoke”; that the first prerequisite
of observing the precepts and prac
ticing our religion is the acceptance
of G~d’s Sovereignty with absolute
resignation and submission.
In the presence of the Supreme
Being we must acknowledge our
intellectual incompetence. This idea
is conveyed in the expression of
“yoke.” The analogy is not used to
suggest a burden; far from it. It is
used in the sense that a) the animal
has no idea of what is behind its
master’s will, b) the animal’s abso
lute submission; c) the yoke is the
means of enabling the animal to
fulfill its functions.
Our faith is based upon the
Divine Revelation and presenta
tion of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
We have accepted the Torah in
spirit of “We will do” (first) and
(then) “we will understand” (Naase
v'nishmo). The latter word, as also
in the case of “Shema,” does not
mean only “hear” or “obey,” but
also “understand.” In other words,
we have accepted the practice of
our precepts as decrees from the
Supreme Master of the Universe in
the full realization that our human
intellect is limited and cannot grasp
the Infinite Wisdom of G-d. We do
not know, nor can we know, the
full effect of performing the mitz
vot, what they do to us and to the
world around us. Any explana
tions or significances that may be
advanced or attributed to any
mitzva must be considered as inci
dental and incomplete.
The scientific method is first to
establish the facts and then to seek
to explain them. If a satisfactory
explanation is found, well and good;
if not, the facts still remain valid,
even if the secret of their origin has
not been discovered.
It is an established fact in Jewish
life and experience that where the
Jewish precepts, customs and tra
ditions have been observed with
real submission to G-d’s Wisdom
and Will, in a spirit of humility and
simple faith, these precepts, cus
toms and traditions have been pre
served and perpetuated. But where
they were not accepted in this
spirit, and became subject to intel
lectual scrutiny in a reckless search
for explanation, and accepted be
cause they appealed to reason or
fancy, there the very foundations
of Judaism were undermined (e.g.,
during the religious persecutions at
the time of the Crusades the Jews
of Germany could not be forcibly
converted; they died Al Kiddush
Hashem. In Spain, however, where
the Inquisition brought to an end a
golden era of philosophy and theo
logical research, the religious per
secutions led to comparatively
numerous conversions).
Moreover, our Sages say, “He
who says this tradition is a fine
one, and that one is not so good,
discredits the Torah (and it wiil
eventually become forgotten to
him—Rashi).” We must regard
all laws with equal sanctity, for
they were all given by the same
Lawgiver, and they all come from
the same source.
Open Sunday for Brunch, 10-4 p.m.
DEU-CIOUS TREATS FOR LUNCH OR PARTY!
From salads to salami it’s always fresh & tasty I
• APPETIZERS • SMOKED FISH • REG. FISH • CHICKEN • BRUNCH ITEMS
• SOUPS •PLATTERS PLATTERS PLATTERS • SIDE ORDERS
• SANDWICHES • SALADS • POT PIES •QUICHES •BEVERAGES
^ f r\ P / /7 CATERING & TAKE OUT
^onny ± jLJzucatzuzn, JJnc. service available
3599 ATLANTA ROAD SMYRNA, GA. 30080 432-6669
FREE soft drink with your sandwich, withes adJexp^resJuly20)^
Carpeting and
Accessories
at up to
40%
OFF RETAIL PRICES
Featuring The Largest Selection Available
in Solid Brass 4 Iron Beds
Over 300 Nationally Advertised
Lines of Furniture.
Tursututa, Dnc,
HOURS 10-6 WEEKDAYS
FRIDAY 10-9. SATURDAY 10-6
6329 Roswell Rd at Marshall s Plaza Shopping Center 252-3434
A Deli With A
Difference—
A bit of Korean seasoning!
Reuben's
Old Mill Shopping Center
3101 Upper Roswell Rd.
Marietta
565-6140
ROGER WILLIAMS COLLEGE - ATLANTA
Accredited Degree Completion for Adults
B.S. Business Administration
B.S. Industrial Technology
D.S. Social ond Health Services
R oger Williams College offers on opportunity for commirted
adult learners to complete their degree without having to
meet o rigid classroom schedule.
Your Past Success is Key
to Your Future
You hove demonstrated your ability to work on your own by the
success you have achieved. Now use that some ability to com
plete your degree ond achieve the rewords you deserve.
Flexibility You Need
Because of your commitments you require the flexibility to sche
dule your own work in rhe school term. We provide that flexibility
and the resource persons to focilirote your learning.
Give Yourself Credit
You know you hove acquired college level competencies
through your experience ond wont to take advantage of it. We
con show you how to get the credit you deserve.
Decide Now
So if your commitments will not allow you to complete your
degree on o traditional schedule we con provide the direction
ond flexibility you need.
Coll or wrire for more information
ROGER WILLIAMS COLLEGE—ATLANTA
4501 Circle 75 Pork way, Suite A-1164
Atlanta, Go. 30339
(404) 980-0391
Accredited by rhe New England Association of Schools ond Colleges.
PAGE 11 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE July 18, 1986